Shortly after the
secession of the Llaeghskath Interacterate, the Jihad of Faarzgaen
was established directly to Trailing. Beginning as a harsh and
cruel yet popular religious autocracy on Faarzgaen (0704 Provence),
the religion soon spread to several adjacent worlds. By late 1115,
the Jihad encompassed eight worlds in the Llaezgaen and Vorvoun
Subsectors. Some had pined willingly, others after bloody
invasions.

The enmity between Faarzgaen and Llaeghanrgh
- the Interacterate capital - stems from a religious source. Llaegharrgh (0604 Provence), a tech level 16 world, represents everything
the Faarzgaen religion despises - technology and scientific
thought. This enmity has turned the Jihad into one of the most
hateful, destructive governments in the history of the Vargr Extents.

Even the Jihad's own citizens are brutally oppressed; unbelievers
are publicly executed. The inhabitants of Ghaez-Larrgh (0803
Provence), caught in the midst of Jihad territory, were subjected
to massive executions and enslavement - the world's population has
dropped 75 percent in six years.

The Faarzgaen religion (URP 500030-9) centers
around a single god (also known as Faarzgaen) who actively guides
the lives of his adherents. Faarzgaen chooses how and when they
should live, die, eat, sleep, and conduct themselves. Followers
know that Faarzgaen is communicating with them whenever they feel
they should do something. If they're hungry, Faarzgaen wants them
to eat; if they want to murder someone, Faarzgaen wants that person
killed

Worshipers of Faarzgaen believe themselves to
be the true believers of the true faith; therefore, they see
themselves as the only ones fit to rule the universe. Heresy (a
Faarzgaen name for free thinking) and lapses in devotion are
punishable by death. Believers actively spread their religion by
forcing it on others by violence and strict oppression. Any world
not a member of the Jihad must be converted or crushed into submission.

The religion and the Jihad are run by seven
overlords, called Kafaarzgaenae. The Kafaarzgaenae have complete
control over their worlds, and they decide policy for the Jihad as
a body.

In order to attain the rank of Kafaarzgaen,
a priest must meet a number of requirements - most violent and
unwholesome. A priest desiring the office must also "arrange" a
vacancy among the Kafaangaenae. Such assassination attempts prompt
the seven autocrats to live in impenetrable fortresses. Nevertheless, dozens of attempts are made on the life of each Kafaarzgaen
yearly. Since 1114, there have been nearly thirty such leaders.

The Jihad military is divided into four
branches: the Navy, Army, Rhaarzgour, and Faarzgaerrnra. The roles
of the first two branches are self-explanatory. The Rhaarzgour is
the Jihad's secret police force, charged with conducting espionage
and terrorist activities against infidel-worlds. (Interestingly,
all seven of the current Kafaarzgaenae were once Rhaarzgour
officers.)

The Faarzgaerrnra are an elite group of
suicide troops. Their loyalty is forcibly ensured: If they succeed
in their missions, they are held up - posthumously, of course - as
great heroes; if they fail, their names are slandered as traitors
and their families are killed.

The Jihad government does provide minimal
necessities for its citizens, but free commerce and the possession
of money is forbidden. Possession of luxury or entertainment items
is a capital offense. Interstellar trade is non-existent. Mercenaries and off-world shipyards are paid in "hard assets," including
gold, diamonds, Lanthanum, and slaves from Ghaez-Larrgh.